FAQs for Commercial Customers

When did the rate increase take effect and what is the impact on commercial properties?

Refuse collection rates are charged monthly. A new commercial rate structure took effect on July 1, 2017. Rates remained effectively flat for the three years prior to that date. The overall effect of the new structure resulted in a 14.42% increase in the cost of collection services. Specific service levels, collection frequency, and landfill diversion rate determine individual monthly rates.

What elements of the new rate structure apply to commercial properties?

The factors most important to note for commercial customers include:

No change to volumetric (per bin) rates.

No change to secondary charges such as inside service or elevation.

The 10% fixed charge not eligible for diversion discount has been removed.

The total volumetric fixed charge, not eligible for a diversion discount incentive, is 25%. Previously it was 10%.

The total volumetric charge eligible for a discount has been raised from 75% to 100% to encourage more recycling and composting.

Refuse collection rates had remained essentially flat for the previous three years.The increase will help pay for:

1. Increased landfill disposal costs.
2. New 5-year labor agreement.
3. New wing on transfer station to receive compostable material.
4. New programs such as trash sorting and processing, abandoned waste collection, increased service of public litter cans to help keep the City clean.

Who do I contact with more questions?

Commercial customers can call (415) 330-1300 to: speak with one of our commercial specialists, sign up for one of our commercial rate workshops, or arrange a meeting at their property to discuss service options.

How can I help ensure my property gets a significant diversion discount?

One key is to make sure your employees, contractors, and customers know what can be recycled and composted and to encourage them to put their discards in the appropriate bins.

Another important practice is to make sure your janitorial service understands that keeping recycling, composting, and trash materials separate saves your building money and is important to you.

What are some ways to encourage employees and customers to recycle and compost their discards?

Establish recycling and composting stations in break rooms and public areas with high foot traffic. Post clear signage to show people what items can be recycled and what should be composted. Very little goes in the trash bin.

Creating more opportunities to recycle, using color-coded bins – blue for recycling, green for composting, and black for landfill – and posting signs and labels featuring pictures of specific materials can be very effective in showing people how to sort their discards correctly.

Where can I find posters, labels, newsletters, and other resources designed to assist and encourage people to reduce waste and recycle and compost more of their discards?

We post all of these resources and more at www.Recology.com. We encourage people to download, print, post, and share these tools.

What new materials can be recycled in the blue bin in San Francisco?

Empty gable-top paper milk cartons

Empty soup and juice boxes

What other materials should be placed in the blue bin?

Clean paper and envelopes

Newspapers

ALL bottles (glass and plastic)

Glass jars

Hard plastics, such as plastic cups and plastic boxes that once contained pre-washed salads

Plastic tubs

Clear plastic clamshell containers, such as those delis and some restaurants use for take-out foods

Cardboard. Please break down cardboard boxes and place them in the recycling (blue) bin.

Potato chip bags (They are metal on the inside, printed with bright inks, and coated with multiple layers of polyethylene.)

Latex and rubber gloves

Dirty disposable diapers

Used, empty toothpaste tubes.

Where can employees and guests of commercial properties get more information showing which materials go in which bins?

The most immediate reference is the stickers on the lids of the bins.Clear signage above bins are also great reference documents. Building managers and owners can review and download stickers and signs at www.Recology.com. People who want to double-check which bin they should utilize when recycling or composting specific materials can also get quick answers on their smart phone. For an easy-to-use search tool go to SFRecycles.org.

How can commercial properties recycle large items such mattresses and old appliances?

Recology will collect large or bulky items from commercial properties for a fee. This service is called “Bulky Item Recycling.” Program guidelines are listed on www.BulkyItemRecycling.com. Book an appointment online or call our Customer Service Department at (415) 330-1300.